Follow islam or leave valley, Sikhs threatened

Srinagar, Aug 20: The Sikh Community received threat letters from Islamic militants to either embrace Islam or leave the Valley.

The 60,000-strong Sikh community is the single largest minority group in the Valley.

"Community members have received unsigned letters at various places," said All Party Sikh Coordination Committee (ASCC) coordinator Jagmohan Singh Raina. He said the community has decided to fight these "evil designs" at a meeting in Srinagar on Thursday, Aug 19.

Raina quoted a letter as saying: "When you are enjoying the joys here, why can't you share the grief and sorrow of Kashmiris as well? We know you are afraid of bullets... Hold protests inside gurdwaras or leave Kashmir." He added, "Some letters have asked Sikhs to embrace Islam."

Raina urged both factions of the Hurriyat, JKLF and PoK-based United Jihad Council to take serious note of the threats to maintain amity and brotherhood in the Valley.

Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has reassured the Sikhs that letters were of fake and they should not feel insecure in the Valley.